"It clearly ... recommends against routine screening mammography between the ages of 40 to 40 years. Do you think that this statement could be perceived by women younger than 50 that they should not get a mammogram?" asked Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga.

"We need to immediately figure out how to get that statement off the Web site," Petitti replied, according to ABCNews.com. "I think it could be misconstrued. It has been misconstrued and we need to fix our Web site."

Petitti went on to say that the panel supports the decision of women who, in consulting with their doctors, decide to start screenings at 40.

"Do any of you [panel members] know an individual who has been diagnosed for cancer between the ages of 40 and 49? Personally?" asked Rep. John Shimkus, R-Ill, according to the ABCNews.com report.

"I know many individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 40 and 49," Petitti said.

Though Republicans argued that the new lax recommendations stemmed from attempts to save money on health care, the panel outright denied taking cost or "cost-effectiveness analysis" into consideration.

"I can honestly say that the word cost was not in the room," said Petitti, according to ABCNews.com. "Was not mentioned, was not uttered."